Nyayati Stanley Young

Nyayati Stanley Young was born in 1949, at a sacred rock hole west of Irrunytju, a small community in Western Australia. Before going off to school at the Ernabella Mission, Stanley grew up proper way with his family in the bush. During these early years, his family spent much time travelling around their home country (the region around the communities of Irrunytju and Pipalyatjara) and living in traditional shelters, ‘wiltjas’. After leaving the Mission, Stanley returned to Pipalyatjara where he continues to live with his family today. He generously shares stories of his many experiences working as a stockman, a Pitjantjatjara language teacher, a geologist for a mining company, and a truck driver. In one story, he tells of racing a friend in a bareback horse race all the way from Alice Springs to Kalka. Along with being a celebrated artist and dancer, Stanley is also a respected elder and senior lawman.